Min-Ji didn't knock this time.
She entered like someone carrying a storm—
but by the time the door closed behind her,
the storm had already been folded into something softer.
"Madam…"
Her voice trembled just enough.
Madam looked up slowly.
Calm.
Unmoved.
Min-Ji stepped closer.
"I don't understand what I did wrong," she began, breath uneven.
"I tried to speak to him, but he wouldn't even listen… Yoo-Na humiliated me, and he just—"
She stopped.
Lowered her gaze.
"…he walked away."
Silence.
Madam watched her for a moment.
Not reacting.
Not interrupting.
Just… measuring.
Then—
"That is because you are chasing him the wrong way."
Min-Ji blinked.
Madam leaned back slightly.
Composed.
Certain.
"You don't follow a man like Ha-Joon around and expect him to respond," she said.
"You make him come to you."
Min-Ji's expression shifted—
attention sharpening.
A pause.
Then Madam added, almost casually—
"I've already arranged something."
Min-Ji straightened slightly.
"…Arranged?"
"A rooftop dinner," Madam said.
Silence.
Min-Ji's eyes widened just a fraction.
"Here," Madam continued.
"On the house."
A small pause.
"You will host it."
The image formed instantly—
the height, the night air, the lights stretching across the city.
Private.
Controlled.
Perfect.
"I've already informed Ha-Joon," Madam added.
"Perhaps that is why he has been avoiding you."
Min-Ji stilled.
Then—
a slow smile began to form.
So he knew.
And still stayed away.
Her fingers curled slightly at her side.
But then—
another thought replaced it.
Sharper.
Cleaner.
If he comes tonight…
Then everything could change.
"…Go and get dressed," Madam said.
Calm.
Final.
Min-Ji nodded immediately.
"Yes, Madam."
She turned—
then paused.
Looked back slightly.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"And… I'm sorry for earlier."
Madam gave a small nod.
Acceptance without warmth.
Min-Ji left.
Steps lighter now.
Measured.
But her smile—
was no longer fragile.
It was intentional.
The Call
The room fell quiet again.
Madam reached for her phone.
Dialed.
It rang once.
Twice.
Then—
"…Yes."
Ha-Joon's voice.
Calm as ever.
"Go upstairs," Madam said.
A pause.
"…Now."
Silence on the other end.
Then—
"…Understood."
The line ended.
No questions.
No resistance.
Just compliance.
And somewhere above—
the night was already waiting.
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